Playing hockey outdoors. It’s reminiscent of the NHL Winter Classic, and certainly a change of scenery for the Pascack Valley hockey team, which is slated to play in an outdoor game this Sunday against Montville at Provident Bank Park, in Pomona, New York – home of the minor league baseball team Rockland Boulders.

The Indians are used to playing in the confines of their home rink at Sport-O-Rama, but this game is a home game for the team.

PV will take on Montville in the second of two games this weekend, both of which “should be winnable as long as [the team] plays disciplined hockey,” said coach Ken DelSanto, the team has failed to post a win in its last ten outings and are 0-8-2 in that span.

The players are all receptive to the idea and excited about the prospect of playing outside.

“It’ll be very cool. It’s always been a dream of mine to play outdoors and under the lights,” said sophomore forward AJ Helfenbein.

Though, Helfenbein was quick to acknowledge that the team is in “desperation mode” as DelSanto called it in terms of the needing to win.

“Though it will be an amazing experience, it’s more important that we skate hard and work to get back in the win column,” Helfenbein said.

But other players prefer to relish in the unique opportunity given to them and enjoy the moment, no matter the result.

“It’s going to be sick,” said junior forward Trent Shanley. “Regardless of the result, it’s going to be a great experience for everybody.”

Senior Evan Brignola shared a similar sentiment, “I love playing outdoors. It’s a very special feeling hitting the ice outside,” he said. “We will look back at this game and remember if forever.”

Leading goal scorer senior Matt Truglio is entering this weekend’s games with a seven game goal streak and junior Luke Ciocca were perhaps most looking forward to the game.

“I haven’t been this excited for a hockey game in a while,” Truglio said. “It’ll be a great experience.

“This outdoor game is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I’m proud to share with this team,” said Ciocca.

It’s clear that for this team it will be a great opportunity to showcase their talent, that all are looking forward to.

Venue Notes: Admission to the game will be just three dollars and the game starts at 6 p.m. The address of the stadium is 1 Provident Bank Park Dr, Pomona, NY 10970. Fans can sit in the regular stadium seats and enjoy the view of the game or can camp out in the heated tent on ice-level.